THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
5i 
evening of the 21 st of January. This has grown to be quite an 
important annual event in the business 
RETAILERS life of the eastern nurserymen. Theocca- 
DINE AT sion is always one of greatest enthusiasm 
ROCHESTER. and bonhomie. The promoters are 
among the leading spirits in the nursery 
trade in Western New York and the Middle West. It is 
an occasion when the agent, the clerk and proprietor all 
meet on common ground, and in a truly fraternal spirit. 
The meeting this year was fully as successful as any of 
its predecessors, and large credit for this should be 
reflected upon the committee in charge. 
There seems to be some misconception in regard to the 
present status of the movement for uniform inspection. It 
is, therefore, proper to say that the resolutions passed by the 
joint committees at Chicago, reported 
in the last issue of the National 
Nurseryman, practically reaffirmed the 
previous action taken by the American 
Association of Nurserymen at Detroit 
last June. At the Detroit meeting a special representative was 
appointed to push legislation, on direct request of the Associ¬ 
ation. He was given a commission to act as prime agent in 
promoting this work, but the scope of this commission must 
be interpreted broadly. The whole thing is not easy of ac¬ 
complishment. We must not rush into it blindly. Some of 
our contemporaries lead one to believe that there is nothing 
to it but to frame a law, hand it to a Congressman, who will 
present it to the House, which forthwith adopts it, and 
presto! the thing is done. Not so easy and not so fast. 
While the special representative has a good deal of authority 
under the instructions given him at the time of his appoint¬ 
ment, it is safe to say that he will feel his way rather than 
rush in and do injury, or be injured. 
The prime question in connection with the whole affair is 
one of feasibility, and we may as well accept the situation, 
realizing that three things are necessary to securing any¬ 
thing like uniform inspection. These are (1) a feasible 
working scheme approved by the U. S. Department of 
Agriculture; (2) the support of the entomologists and 
horticultural inspectors; (3) the united co-operation and 
support of the nurserymen themselves. Lacking these con¬ 
ditions the movement will fail, and until they are secured 
it will certainly be unwise to attempt to push any 
measure through. The National Nurseryman is in 
hearty accord with the principle involved in the idea of 
uniform inspection, but the ways and means of securing it 
are not so clear. For that reason we advise caution, and 
advise proceeding with the utmost consideration of all 
interests and conditions affected. Would it not be well to 
invite Dr. L. C. Howard, chief of the Bureau of Entomology, 
who in all probability would be the officer in charge of 
federal inspection, should such a measure become law, to 
attend the next meeting of the American Association of 
Nurserymen to discuss this question from the stand¬ 
point of an executive officer? 
TRANSPORTATION AND RAILROAD OVERCHARGES. 
The following statements of amounts recovered by one 
firm from rairoads in one year in the form of overcharges 
and loss claims will be read with much interest by all 
nurserymen. 
We thank Messrs. Stark Bros, for permitting us to pub¬ 
lish the figures which should encourage shippers to investi¬ 
gate charges and file loss claims whenever circumstances 
justify such action. 
Editor National Nurseryman: 
We are enclosing a railway claim memorandum covering 
one year. We believe that the average shipper is frequently 
overcharged, and the errors are generally in favor of the 
Railroad—not the shipper. 
Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co. 
Statement of rating, overcharge and loss claims paid 
from January 1, 07 to January 1, 08. 
January 
Claims paid, 
25 Amount. 
. $ 78-23 
February 
< i 
i < 
27 “ . 
3 o6 -43 
March 
< < 
< < 
5 “ . 
. 7-46 
May 
< 1 
< i 
15 “ ...... 
. 207.32 
June 
i i 
l i 
56 “ . 
. 257.15 
July 
i < 
i i 
59 “ . 
. 282.00 
August 
< l 
1 i 
46 “ . 
. 198.27 
September 
< < 
< < 
24 “ . 
. 202.40 
October 
i < 
i i 
26 “ . 
69.15 
November 
< i 
i i 
19 “ . 
. 92.22 
December 
< t 
( < 
183 “ . 
..... 507.19 
485 $2207.82 
Above divides as follows: 
451 overcharge claims, amount.$1109.20 
34 loss claims, amount. 1098.62 
$2207.82 
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETAIL NURSERY¬ 
MEN, FIFTH ANNUAL DINNER. POWERS HOTEL, 
ROCHESTER, N. Y., TUESDAY EVENING, 
JAN. 21 st, 1908. 
Since the inauguration of these dinners, each year has 
been a greater success than the last, and this year has 
proved no exception, judging by the large attendance and 
the spirit of harmony and good will evidenced on all sides. 
The program was run off without a hitch, thanks to the 
untiring energies of the committee which was composed of 
the following gentlemen: 
Messrs. B. F. Allen, again acting as chairman, assisted by 
W. W. Wyman, E. S. Osborne and C. L. Yates all of 
Rochester. Great credit is due to these gentlemen for the 
smooth way in which everything was carried out. Good 
food, good cheer, good speeches are all to be charged to 
these. 
Music was furnished by Moll’s Orchestra and the Roches¬ 
ter Male Quartette. The menu which was excellently 
served and most satisfying was as follows: 
INSPECTION 
LEGISLATION. 
